Assembly lines have long been the standard for factory workers. Henry Ford got the ball rolling on December 1, 1913, when he created the very first assembly line to mass produce a car. Workers stood for hours, doing the same tasks over and over. Although Ford took steps to reduce at least some of the damage, many factory workers still went home with aching backs and feet, migraines, fallen arches, and repetitive motion injuries.
Now, more than a hundred year later, some things have changed. According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,834,000 assembly line and fabrication jobs in 2014. Technology is better, and some tasks can be automated making some people�s jobs more manageable � and, unfortunately, eliminating some as well.
Despite the great strides in technology, there are still some things that haven�t changed all that much. The working conditions in many factories are often still not as healthy as they could be. Many workers are still required to stand for long periods of time and perform repetitive motions for hours without a break. This can lead to injuries, pain, and certain conditions that can cause immobility, inflexibility, and even disability. The good news is, chiropractic can help.
Working in a Standing Position Can Be Bad For Your Health
Many assembly line jobs require that the worker stand for long periods of time. While standing is a natural posture for humans and, by itself does not pose any real harm or health problem, working in a standing position every day isn�t good for you. It can lead to muscle fatigue, stiff shoulders and neck, swelling of the legs and feet, low back pain, varicose veins, fallen arches, and sore feet � to name a few.
Another problem with standing for extended or frequent periods of time without any breaks (such as walking or stretching) can cause the joints in the feet, knees, hips, and spine to become locked or immobilized temporarily. If the behavior continues, it can cause degenerative damage, leading to rheumatic diseases because the ligaments and tendons become damaged.
Other Assembly Line Related Health Problems
Barring traumatic injury due to an accident, working in a factory environment can cause problems with mobility, pain, and flexibility. The nature of the job places specific demands on the human body that can lead to certain types of injuries and health conditions, which include:
Repetitive motion injury � When a worker performs the same task that involves the same movements over and over, it can lead to certain types of injuries. Carpal tunnel is common repetitive motion injury.
Overexertion � Lifting, pulling, even standing can take a toll on the body, especially when it is done without adequate breaks. The person can get muscle fatigue, pulled muscles, and pulled tendons.
Body movement injuries � When the worker is continuously reaching, twisting, crawling, and bending, it can cause problems with the muscles and joints.
Chiropractic can Help Assembly Line Workers
Chiropractic care can help keep bodies flexible and help with range of motion. It is a very effective, non-invasive treatment for pain and can help with joint and muscular problems as well. Regular chiropractic treatments can help you better manage your body�s response to your work environment. It can also undo many of the ill effects that that type of work can cause.
You can enjoy more pain-free days without invasive surgeries or medications that leave you groggy, nauseous, or worse. When you sit down with your chiropractor, he or she will talk to you about your medical history as well as your current lifestyle. After a complete evaluation, you will be given a plan of action that may include lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and recommended supplements in addition to spinal manipulation. Chiropractic is all about whole body wellness, and that is what will help you perform better on your job and recover faster.
James Hill came to Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic after his daughter Madison suffered a sports injury. Through a variety of chiropractic treatment methods and techniques, Dr. Jimenez helped Madison find relief from her ankle pain so she could return-to-play as soon as possible. Madison regained the confidence she needed with Dr. Jimenez�and is recovering properly. James Hill and Madison highly recommend Dr. Alex Jimenez as the non-surgical choice for sports injuries. Chiropractic treatment is an�alternative treatment that works through rehabilitation procedures.
Sports Injury Chiropractic
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As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center,�we passionately are focused on treating patients after frustrating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
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Today we will begin to discuss how the spectrum which medicine currently considers �normal� may not actually be optimal towards your overall health and wellness. These reference ranges can change based on age, gender, physical activity, and more. As a matter of fact, if we were to evaluate an individual�s weight in the United States, it would be considered �normal� to be overweight, simply because 70 percent of the population is overweight. Reference ranges for lab tests today are based on a sick population when we should aspire for optimal well-being.
Then, I will demonstrate how this knowledge can apply to the most basic medical measurements: your vital signs. Everyone knows that when you first visit a doctor, they take your vital signs, including your weight, your blood pressure, your heart rate, and your temperature. However, does your doctor tell you what your results mean? How can you tell if you�re healthy?
What�are�Vital�Signs?
Hello everyone, it�s Dr. Alex Jimenez. Welcome to part 2 of �Taking Control of Your Healthcare�. Today, we will discuss laboratory reference ranges associated with your vital signs. It may not sound like an interesting topic, but it�s really important for your well-being.
Most doctors generally define a patient�s test results as either �normal� or �abnormal�. But what exactly does �normal� and �abnormal� mean? Normal is when 95 percent of the population falls within a common range while abnormal is when the remaining percent of the population falls outside that common range. Whether you�re healthy or sick, young or old, although there can be some variations for children, normal and abnormal are simply statistical numbers which fall within two standard deviations.
However, these standard deviations don�t necessarily mean it�s optimal or not. It�s only a statistical number, after all. As a matter of fact, disease can occur along healthy and unhealthy individuals. These lab reference ranges should be defined according to what is best for a human being.
By way of instance, vitamin D levels are classified as normal if they�re over 20, however, the ideal levels are over 50. So why is 20 considered �normal�? This is because approximately 80 percent of the population is deficient in vitamin D, therefore, they fall under what is considered to be the �normal� range. However, this doesn�t mean that these levels are best for your overall health and wellness. Furthermore, �normal� blood sugar levels have been classified to be under 100, although we know �optimal� blood sugar levels have been classified to be between 70 to 80. Blood sugar levels over 80 can have an increased risk of disease. And unfortunately, our �normal� laboratory reference ranges are not optimal because we�ve become a sick population. In the United States it can be considered �normal� to be overweight because 70 percent of our population is overweight. But, although being overweight or obese is considered normal in the United States, that�s not something we would want to aspire to. We want to aspire to achieve overall health and wellness.
Now let�s continue to discuss the meaning of normal. Many patients often visit the doctor only to be told that their lab tests have returned normal, however, they may still be feeling sick. What does that mean? Does it mean you�re sick? Does it mean you�re healthy? As I�ve mentioned previously, either your doctor is missing something or you�re crazy, and I�m pretty sure your doctor is missing something. This is one of the main differences between conventional medicine and functional medicine. Through functional medicine, many doctors focus on health care rather than sick care. We�re looking for more subtle deviations from optimal.
Until your liver function is considered abnormal according to the current standard, your liver cells may already be dying. A functional medicine doctor may review your lab tests differently than a conventional doctor. This is primarily because the reference ranges that we�re focusing on aim towards optimal health, not disease. Many conventional doctors evaluate lab tests differently than functional medicine doctors, and then they either follow a �watch-and-wait approach�, or they label you as �not sick� after the most minimal amount of lab tests. As a matter of fact, one patient who visited me had blood sugar levels of 120, where a blood sugar of 126 is already considered type 2 diabetes. And I said, �Did you see your doctor regarding this?� And he said, �Yeah.� I asked him what the doctor said. And he finally said, �Well, he said to wait until I actually had diabetes and then to come back for medication.� And that is the last thing we want to be doing as healthcare professionals.
Reference ranges give us an average number of values which have been recorded among the general population. But let�s not forget, �normal� reference ranges are relative. They change based on age, gender, physical activity, and more. If you were to evaluate an individual�s weight in the United States today, it would be normal to be overweight, as I mentioned, only because 70 percent of people are overweight. And unfortunately, we keep changing our reference ranges based on our sick population. This is not what we should aspire to do as doctors. This is why functional medicine treats the individual, not only the numbers.
Additionally, reference ranges which were once considered normal can also change over time. One instance of how reference ranges change was demonstrated by a known global laboratory company called LabCorp, where they recently changed their reference ranges for male testosterone levels. Previously, LabCorp considered normal testosterone levels for an adult male to be between 348 to 1,197. This value was based on a population of lean adult males. However, in 2017, they lowered normal testosterone levels for an adult male to be between 264 to 916. Moreover, overweight men, excluding obese men, were probably included in the cohort study, ultimately changing reference ranges for male testosterone levels. Research studies have found that excess abdominal fat can cause lower testosterone levels. By changing reference ranges, however, this demonstrates that conventional medicine is considering overweight individuals to be a part of the norm. But this isn�t what we want. We want to strive for overall well-being.
This is why you need to start taking control of your own healthcare. As one in two people have some type of chronic disease, we have to evaluate how we interpret lab tests as well as how �normal� may not necessarily mean health and wellness but simply an average for a growing sick population in the United States.
Taking Control of Your Vital Signs
The primary goal of this series of videos is to encourage you to become the leader of your own well-being by understanding what your lab tests mean, understanding what optimal looks like, and understanding which lab tests are designed to help you achieve overall health and wellness rather than focusing on the disease. I would also like to educate you in order for you to make an informed decision on who you choose to be your doctor, or partner, in your journey to well-being. Now let�s look into the most common medical measurements: your vital signs.
Your vital signs are initially taken by the nurse when you visit the doctor. These vital signs generally include blood pressure, weight, heart rate, temperature, and even oxygen saturation. However, are you aware of what these numbers mean? Has your doctor discussed these numbers with you? Why would they take your vital signs if they�re just going to record them and never discuss them with you? Do the numbers actually demonstrate your health and wellness? If you have high blood pressure or a heart rhythm problem, your healthcare professional is most likely going to tell you, but otherwise, you may not find out what the value of your vital signs is.
Your heart rate is probably one of the most important vital signs taken during a doctor visit. The pulse is a measure of how fast your heart is beating. The human heart beats more than 115,000 times per day. So, if your heart rate is above 100, then we define that as having a high heart rate. But, if you have a heart rate higher than 80, that can increase your risk of developing heart disease. What causes this increase? Although many factors can lead to cardiovascular disease, stress is one of the most common causes because it raises your adrenaline and causes increased heart rate and blood pressure. Drinking too much coffee, stimulating medicines like Adderall, or an overactive thyroid, heart or lung health issue can also increase the risk of heart disease.
The fight-or-flight response, a physiological reaction which becomes activated during times of stress, can also cause an increase in heart rate. When an individual�s heart rate is frequently above 80, it might be time to begin incorporating some stress management techniques into their life, by way of instance, mindfulness meditation and other forms of meditation. Stress is not the only cause of an increased heart rate. Anxiety, magnesium deficiencies, being out of shape and dehydration can also cause an increased heart rate. Ideally, we want to achieve a lower heart rate, optimally under 70.
On the other side of the spectrum, a decreased heart rate below 60 might also demonstrate the presence of thyroid gland dysfunction or low thyroid function. Athletes and distance runners actually have low heart rates because they�re so well-conditioned. Their heart rates can be as low as 50 or even 45. But, if you have a low heart rate and you�re not an athlete or a distance runner, it may be time for you to go talk to your doctor.
While heart rate is one of the most important vital signs taken during a doctor visit, there�s another vital sign which can be just as important, your heart rate variability. This reflects the health of your automatic or autonomic nervous system, which is in charge of controlling all of the unconscious elements of your nervous system, such as digestion and breathing. Heart rate variability has frequently been associated with longevity and even death. The less variable the heart rate is, the higher the mortality rate. Many doctors don�t measure a patient�s heart rate variability, but fortunately, you can manage it yourself. Hot-and-cold therapies, saunas, exercise, yoga and meditation, can all help improve a patient�s heart rate variability.
Now let�s move on to the next most important of the vital signs taken during a doctor visit, blood pressure. If you were to line up all the blood vessels in your body, they would extend approximately 59,000 miles. That�s almost seven times around the earth. These same blood vessels carry over 7,500 liters of blood throughout your entire body on a regular basis. With each heartbeat, blood is pushed against the artery walls, which causes an increase in pressure.
Medical measurements for blood pressure have two numbers. The top number is known as systolic, or the pressure when the heart is contracting, and the bottom number is known as diastolic, or the pressure when the heart is relaxing or at rest. Normal reference ranges for blood pressure continue to change because we keep finding out that the reference ranges we used to think of as normal, which were first 140/90, then 130/80, were still associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Many doctors today may mention a problem with your blood pressure only if it�s over 130/80.
The reason why blood pressure is so important is because when it�s elevated, it can place additional pressure on the heart and arteries, potentially leading to heart disease, or stroke, heart failure, or even kidney failure. And it�s not only the heart and arteries which are affected by blood pressure: the brain, kidneys and even the eyes can all be tremendously affected, leading to strokes, dementia, kidney failure, and blindness, among other health issues. Maintaining your blood pressure at an optimal level is fundamental towards your overall health and wellness. As a matter of fact, normal blood pressure is currently believed to be under 120/80, however, it may turn out to be even lower.
While high blood pressure is bad, low blood pressure can also be just as bad. A good functional medicine doctor will discuss with you the risks of both high blood pressure and low blood pressure. Blood pressure below 100/60 may cause problems but not necessarily. Blood vessels in the human body function just like pistons in a car. If not enough pressure is built up, it can become really difficult for the blood to flow against gravity. And because the human brain is positioned higher than the heart, we depend on our blood pressure to supply our brain with the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients required to function accordingly.
If you have low blood pressure, you might experience other symptoms, such as fatigue. Other symptoms associated with low blood pressure include dizziness when standing, weakness and even brain fog. Also, both chronic high blood pressure and chronic low blood pressure may contribute to an increased risk of dementia.
Now we�ve discussed the importance of heart rate and blood pressure. But, how about we discuss another important vital sign: your body temperature? A fever or an elevated body temperature can often be a sign of infection. Temperature can also provide an insight into the function of our metabolism. The lower an individual�s metabolism, the less heat they produce, which may manifest as a slightly lower-than-normal body temperature. The thyroid gland plays a big role in metabolism and regulating your temperature. So, if you frequently feel cold, you might want to discuss ordering the right thyroid panel with your doctor. But, what tests should you ask your doctor to determine this? Don�t worry, we will discuss which thyroid tests you should take in the video on hormones. The optimal body temperature should be approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If it�s lower than 97.7 degrees Fahrenheit, however, it may indicate that you have a thyroid problem.
The final medical measurements we�re going to discuss are your height and your weight. Doctors utilize your height and weight to calculate your body mass index, or BMI. At our clinic, by way of instance, we utilize the InBody 770, a body composition and body water analyzer, to help easily determine your body mass index and more. However, body mass index doesn�t always factor in body composition, or the percentage of fat versus muscle in the human body. By way of instance, a pro football player who is 6�6� and 265 pounds has a body mass index of over 30, which puts them in the obese category.
But if you were to take a look at this individual�s body, they would never be categorized as obese. This demonstrates that BMI isn�t an accurate measurement, especially for athletes. Also, a 65-year-old woman may have more fat than muscle in their body while their BMI measurements may appear �optimal�. Instead, many functional medicine doctors use waist-to-hip medical measurements. This is a simple measurement you can do at home to determine body fat distribution, which can also help demonstrate the risk of metabolic dysfunction. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are caused by excess belly fat or fat accumulated around the organs. Excess fat around the midsection can ultimately increase the risk for heart disease and metabolic issues, such as diabetes, dementia, cancer and many other health problems.
But first, let�s discuss how you can calculate your waist-to-hip ratio. To measure your waist, you simply take the measurements of the widest area around your waist, which is generally the biggest part around your belly button. To measure your hip, you then take the measurements of the widest area around your hip, which is generally where your hip bones are on your sides. So, you take these measurements and then you divide the measurements of your waist by the measurements of your hip. And this is the most fundamental number you have to look at.
In men, a waist-to-hip ratio of less than 0.9 is considered optimal. If the ratio is greater than one, meaning that your belly is bigger than your hip, it can put men at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and dementia. In women, a waist-to-hip ratio of less than 0.8 is considered optimal. If the ratio is greater than 0.85, it can put women at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome as well as the other health issues mentioned above.
Medical measurements, including heart rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure, are several vital signs which help indicate doctors the state of a patient’s fundamental body functions. Reference ranges today are utilized to determine “normal” health and wellness spectrums, however, research studies have demonstrated that these reference ranges may actually not be optimal spectrums. Understanding the most basic medical measurements, or vital signs, is important towards a patient’s well-being, as it can help people recognize whether they are feeling healthy or sick, regardless of the standards.
Understanding Your Vital Signs
And those were your vital signs, your most basic medical measurements. These numbers are very essential as they are fundamental towards your overall health and wellness. Understanding how your body functions as a whole is important to optimize your well-being. Therefore, next time you visit your doctor, ask about your vital signs and discuss these reference ranges with them. I truly believe that a combination of your own research and having a good relationship with a qualified healthcare professional can lead you on the right path to overall health and wellness.
Finding a doctor that will work with you is essential towards achieving the results you deserve. If your doctor is not willing to have a conversation with you about your well-being or the lab tests that are needed to track your results, then you might want to consider finding another doctor.
If you learned about the simplest medical measurements then you will definitely enjoy the next video, where we will discuss the blood tests utilized to determine nutritional deficiencies. Over 90 percent of individuals in the United States are deficient in nutrients at the RDA level. That�s the minimum amount necessary to prevent diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as scurvy and rickets.
We�re going to discuss how a doctor who specializes in functional medicine evaluates results and what other tests your doctor might be unaware of that can tell us a lot about your nutritional status. Thanks again for joining me so far and I�ll see you later. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal health issues as well as functional medicine topics and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topic Discussion:�Acute Back Pain
Back pain�is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as�herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling
Stretching is often an outstanding complement to chiropractic care. Blood flow to the muscles is increased and it helps lower the risk of injury and improves physical performance. More importantly, stretching is good for the joints, helping them function through their full range of motion. Additionally, some studies show that muscles work and move more effectively when they are stretched regularly. These benefits of stretching make it a great practice to incorporate into your daily routine, especially between chiropractic treatments.
The muscles all along the spine respond well to stretching. However, sometimes it is difficult to manipulate specific muscle groups and get a thorough stretch.
The cervical spine is a prime example. Although the neck turns in so many ways, finding positions that provide an effective stretch are surprisingly difficult.
These three stretches effectively work the muscles through the neck and shoulders�and are simple enough to do at home whether you are between chiropractic appointments or if you wake up with a crick in your neck.
Before You Stretch
If you are under a chiropractor�s care, you should check with him or her before you start a stretching program. This is especially important if you have a neck injury or have a spinal condition that causes deterioration or pain.
When you begin stretching, you may feel a little discomfort, but it is important to note that it should never cause pain or worsen it. If this occurs, or if it just doesn�t feel �right,� you should stop immediately and call your chiropractor.
Neck and Trap Stretch
If standing: Stand up straight with your pelvis slightly tucked (not swayback), feet shoulder�s width apart, knees soft.
If sitting: Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor.
1. Drop your shoulders and roll them slightly back. Let your arms hang down.
2. Reach behind your back and, with your left hand, grasp your right wrist. If you can�t reach to grasp your wrist, grab your fingers. If you can�t reach your fingers, sit in a straight back chair and put your right arm as far behind you as you can and slide your right hand under your right buttock to provide stability.
3. If clasping your hands behind you, gently pull your arm behind you to the left. If unable to reach behind you, drop your right shoulder.
4. At the same time, tilt your head to the left, bringing your ear to your shoulder but don�t raise your left shoulder. You will feel the stretch all along the right muscles of the neck.
5. Hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds.
6. Do the same movement for the left side.
7. Repeat the full move 3 to 5 times.
Gentle Neck Extension
If standing: Stand up straight with your pelvis slightly tucked (not swayback), feet shoulder�s width apart, knees soft, hands relaxed and at your sides.
If sitting: Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor, hands relaxed and at your sides.
If lying down: Lie flat on the floor. If necessary, put a pillow under your knees to take pressure off of the lower back. Stretch your arms down by your side.
1. Push your shoulders down towards your feet.
2. Tuck your chin to your chest but don�t let your shoulders lift.
3. Slowly raise your chin, feeling the stretch along the front of your neck. Hold the position for 20 to 30 seconds.
4. Return your head to its normal, upright position for 30 seconds. Repeat the entire movement 5 to 7 times.
Stretch for Traps
If standing: Stand up straight with your pelvis slightly tucked (not swayback), feet shoulder�s width apart, knees soft, hands relaxed and at your sides.
If sitting: Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor, hands relaxed and at your sides.
If lying down: Lie flat on the floor. If necessary, put a pillow under your knees to take pressure off of the lower back. Stretch your arms down by your side.
1. Start with your head in the normal, upright position.
2. Bend your neck to the right side, moving your ear towards your shoulder.
3. Raise your left hand to your head and apply gentle pressure to facilitate the stretch while drawing up your left shoulder. Hold for 20 seconds.
4. Return to your starting position.
5. Repeat the same movement on the right side.
6. Do 3 to 5 sets.
Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatment
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If you are in your 40s, and you measured your height, chances are you would not be the same height that you were in, say, high school. It’s true. As we get older, we tend to shrink. A French study in 2010 measures more than 8,000 women who were over the age of 60. They then asked each woman to estimate her own height. Nearly all of the women in the study overestimated their height. Some overestimated by as much as 2 inches. This is not wishful thinking on the women’s part; they recalled their tallest height. Shrinking in stature is a normal part of the aging process, but there are ways you can stop it or at least slow it down.
What Causes People to Shrink?
There are several reasons why a person may lose some height as they age :
A condition like osteoporosis can cause loss of bone density, leading to a compression fracture which is essentially a collapse of the vertebrae
Flattening of the feet. As we age, our arches flatten out, and this can take inches off our height
Dehydration of the discs that lie between each vertebra. Dehydration can cause the discs to compress.
A stooped posture caused by loss of muscle in the core or abdomen
Getting Shorter by the Numbers
It is estimated that the average person will lose about to inch every decade after they turn 40 (although some estimates say 30 and others say 50). Women are also more prone to height loss than men. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) found that between 30 and 70 years of age, women lost, on average, 2 inches while men lost around 1 inch of height. By the age of 80, women had lost a little more than 3 inches while men lost 2. However, with all of the varying factors, some people will lose more and others will lose less, and some don’t shrink an inch.
Health Implications of Height Loss
It is important to know that height loss can be an indicator of a problem. Probably the most concerning of the conditions is skeletal problems, such as a compression fracture.
Such a condition can be debilitating, causing back pain and mobility problems. Muscle loss can also cause pain, as can compressed discs. It is important to stay on top of it, get ahead of any potential problems.
Height loss can also be a symptom of other problems that are physiological or metabolic in nature. It can also indicate inadequate nutrition or poor health. In short, if you experience height loss, it may be in your best interest to pay attention and talk to your doctor.
Combating the Shrinkage
While genetics does play a large part in certain conditions that can cause you to lose height, there are some things you can do that may help. If you are still below the threshold age, start taking care of yourself, get the proper nutrition, exercise, get enough sleep, and drink plenty of water. The better the foundation you build when you are young, the better you will be as you age.
Older people may be able to slow the shrinkage by eating a healthy diet rich in calcium, doing weight-bearing exercises, staying hydrated, and avoiding unhealthy practices such as drinking alcohol and smoking. Study after study shows that exercise works, so that should be a priority. Hydration is also key. In the end, the better you take care of your body when you are young, the better care it will take of you when you are older.
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Chiropractic care is a wonderful practice that has widely diverse applications. While it is traditionally considered to be a pain management therapy or treatment for someone with back pain, studies show that it is incredibly effective in treating conditions that have little to do with the spine.
One such condition that several studies show chiropractic can successfully treat is myasthenia gravis (MG). It is a rare condition, with fewer than 200,000 cases showing up in the United States each year. It is marked by muscle weakness, difficulty with speech, double vision, and difficulty chewing.
Myasthenia Gravis: Signs and Symptoms
Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic condition, and the symptoms may come and go. During �exacerbation� the patient may notice a worsening of the symptoms or more symptoms. During �remission� the symptoms may decrease or even disappear entirely. Often the symptoms will become worse with activity or use and get better when the patient rests.
MG is a progressive disease with extreme muscle weakness as the primary symptom. The condition only affects the voluntary muscle groups, so the muscles that control the gastrointestinal tract and the heart are not affected.
In its early stages, it often with ocular weakness when it affects the muscles that control how the eyes and eyelids move. This leads to partial paralysis of those muscles, resulting in droopy eyelids and double vision.
Another early symptom is fatigue and weakness in the jaw and neck, making activities like chewing, swallowing, talking, and even holding up the head very difficult. Speech tends to become slurred with a nasal quality. The weakness can also make swallowing difficult or impossible, leading to choking spells that can make even the simple act of eating quite traumatic and exhausting.
Sometimes the condition never progresses past affecting the ocular nerves. Typically, it reaches peak severity within one to three years, and if it doesn�t advance past ocular within that time, it usually remains that way.
If the condition does progress, the weakness will continue its path from the head and neck, spreading to the shoulders, arms, and hands. If it continues, it will reach the lower limbs. As the weakness spreads, the patient may find it difficult to lift their arms over their head, walk for long distances, rise from a seated position, grip heavy objects, or climb stairs. However, myasthenia gravis patients very rarely start using wheelchairs.
It may also affect the muscles that control breathing. This can make the condition life-threatening.
Common Treatments for Myasthenia Gravis
There are medications available that are used to treat myasthenia gravis. Anticholinesterase agents help to increase the strength of the muscles and improve neuromuscular transmission. Immunosuppressive drugs are also used to help increase muscle strength by suppressing the body�s production of abnormal antibodies. However, there can be harmful side effects associated with these drugs.
Another conventional treatment is surgery where the thymus gland is removed. This method is effective in about 70 percent of patients who undergo it. Plasmapheresis is also used to remove the abnormal antibodies from the blood and modify the immune system. These are invasive procedures that carry some risk or complications or infection.
Chiropractic for Myasthenia Gravis
Several studies show how effective chiropractic is for myasthenia gravis. In some cases, the patients were completely healed of the condition with no symptoms. They were able to stop their medication and live a regular, full life.
The chiropractor performs high-velocity subluxations to specific areas on the spine. With regular treatment, myasthenia gravis patients can expect a dramatic improvement of their symptoms. This natural, noninvasive treatment option is safe and effective with no harmful or unpleasant side effects.
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